Bye bye L.I. Hello Atlanta.

August 23, 2010

College Packing List 2010

When I went off to Beloit College as a freshman back in the 1970's, I shipped a trunk of clothing and bedding ahead. I flew to Chicago . . . alone. I took a cab to the Greyhound bus station, then hopped the bus to Beloit, Wisconsin, and walked up the hill to campus with my typewriter in hand and a backpack strapped to my back. Safely ensconced in Whitney Hall, there was a pay phone in the hall, a tv in the downstairs lounge, and the big innovation was the keycard -- a liberating electronic key that broke the old "parietals" system and allowed you to come and go in and out of your dorm at any hour instead of having a Proctor let you in. My dorm was co-ed by floor - this was considered very liberal.

Hey, I'm no virgin. And I sent a child to college 6 years ago, so there are no stars in my eyes. Admittedly, this child was a boy, so the coordinated comforter/towel/rug/curtain thing didn't apply. I know that times have changed. But now I am sending his brother to the same college, and excuuuze me, but I think the packing list has lost its mind. My kid is going to George Washington University, in Washington, DC. It's a major metropolis, and they have EVERYTHING he needs in the goddam CVS drugstore, which is part of his G-World "swipe" system -- Eat, Study, Consume.

Below is a major Helicopter Mom's (Southern version, to be sure) packing list for UGA (University of Georgia) freshmen. OK, OK, I bought some stuff for my kid -- the only things he specifically asked for were French Press Coffee Maker (IKEA 4.99) and an "egg crate" (foam mattress protector) to make the bed more comfy. I bought him some extras that make me happy, like over-the-door hooks, towels and multi-plug surge protectors, and new XL sheets, comforter cover, but nothing like this insane list:

9.Dust buster- maids will not
clean their carpets if there is stuff on the floor. There will always be stuff
on the floor.

10.Desk chair- Container Store/ Target=bungee light
weight chair can also be used for gaming and TV

11.Large trash can- boys never
take out trash. Room comes with a small one and there is one in the bathroom.

12.Fan/air purifier-optional but Brian asked for one
and I had it sent from Sharper Image.

13.Bed risers- This is
the only way you can lift bed to fit stuff underneath. They will sell them on
moving day or buy them at container store/bbb

14. Mattress Pads/allergy liners. I got mine at Costco.

15.board for outside dorm room-optional not sure if
boys use this or not will need marker and erasers

16.mirrors- this may not be necessary
since there is one in bathroom. Need to check and see if there is one over
their sink in their rooms. They might like a full length mirror but I am not
sure where they would put it.

17.doublet closet doubler from Container Store. If
they put their bureau in their closet they will need this.

18.underbed storage boxers/containers- Container Store

19.reading light and alarm clock. Most kids use their
cell phones but if phone is lost or not charged it’s a nice back up.( or if you
have a deep sleeper)

Hilary Thayer Hamann: Anthropology of an American Girl: A NovelWell, I finished it. And I liked it alot. But then, I love books about bourgeois life where nothing much happens. The writing is sharp and evocative. The story is, I dunno, familiar? Most interesting is the story of how this book went from a self-published effort to a mainstream book. Kudos to HTH.

What I'm Cooking

Cheap Ceviche

This is almost a mock ceviche because it's made with junk fish (tilapia) and surimi, the tofu of fish. However, with the right amounts of lime juice, cilantro, onion and hot sauce, even cheap fish makes a fabulous ceviche. I chopped up a 1/2 pound of tilapia and combined it with 2 packages of chunked surimi. Marinate in juice of 5 limes, 1/2 red onion chopped fine, and one head of cilantro chopped fine. Add a healthy squirt of Sriracha sauce and refrigerate.

Just outstanding on everything. Take a container of Greek style yogurt (no-fat, low -fat, doesn't matter). Grate 2-3 thin skinned middle eastern cukes on a box grater and squeeze out all the water. Mince 3 cloves of garlic VERY fine. Stir cucumber and garlic into yogurt, add a splash of olive oil and a grind of black pepper. Dunk in vegetable of your choice, slather on spanakopitas, etc.

Polenta

Apparently the par-boiled polenta I'm using is considered ca-ca by serious cooks. I've found it to be utterly delicious, especially smothered with sauteed portobello mushrooms. I will give plain old yellow cornmeal polenta a try after Thanksgiving.

Hangar Steak

Grilled in a cast iron pan in the oven, on broil. Remarkably tender and so quick. Salt, pepper and smoked paprika for seasoning.

Brussels Sprouts + Corn

A smashing combination -- the bitter tang of the Brussels Sprouts with the sweetness of corn. Saute with olive oil, salt and pepper. C'est tout!

Stuffed Cabbage

My favorite recipe From the NY Times Jewish Cookbook, made with fresh cranberries and canned cranberry sauce. Total yum.